Who was Vincent van Gogh and what were some of his famous paintings?

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) was a Dutch post-Impressionist painter known for his vivid colors and bold brushstrokes. He produced more than 2,000 artworks in his short career, which was marked by poverty, mental illness, and a lack of recognition. Van Gogh's works are now among the most valuable in the world.

Some of his most famous paintings include:

• The Starry Night: This iconic painting is one of the most recognized in the world. It depicts the view from Van Gogh's room at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, where he stayed after cutting off his own ear.
• Sunflowers: Van Gogh painted several versions of sunflowers, which he considered a symbol of happiness and gratitude. The most famous of these is housed at the National Gallery in London.
• Irises: This painting of irises, created during Van Gogh's stay at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, is notable for its use of complementary colors and strong contrasts.
• The Potato Eaters: This early work depicts a group of peasants gathered around a table. The painting is notable for its dark colors and rough brushwork, which was influenced by the realism movement.
• Portrait of Dr. Gachet: This painting of Van Gogh's doctor is one of the most expensive ever sold, fetching a price of $82.5 million at auction in 1990.

Van Gogh's life and works continue to be a source of fascination for art lovers and historians around the world.